I've been a carpenter for over 31 years and have been installing fine stairs for 19 years. We will soon be celebrating our 12th anniversary as Riverwood Stair Company. I've learned a lot in that time. Here are some suggestions:
* Make sure to allow enough room for a proper stairway in your plans. This is a common problem; if you're not sure how to plan this, consult a stair professional.
* The person finishing the stair installation should be the one putting the earlier “rough stair” in, or at least overseeing it. Mistakes made at framing can be hard and expensive to correct after drywall.
* Look carefully at your stair part choices, and make sure the proper parts are ordered. Good knowledge of stair parts can take years to develop. Stair parts are expensive. I have often found that some lumberyard salesmen and carpenters order parts incorrectly. Stair parts come in a wide range of styles and quality. Lesser quality handrail is finger-jointed, and some treads are made of very narrow pieces glued together and/or poorly matched for color – these may be economical but not as attractive.
Also, some of the “time saving” parts available are much more expensive yet not nearly as strong.
* I measure remodel jobs regularly, where I am sad to say I see a lot of beautiful stair parts installed badly. Gaps, shaky posts & rails, squeaky steps, even stair parts used upside down or in the wrong place are all common – decreasing both durability and beauty. Stair installers should be able to show you examples of their work and references, and be familiar with all the parts they use.
* Keep in mind that some municipalities enforce stair code requirements that specify such things as tread rise and run, baluster spacing, handrail height and headroom height. Most stair codes make stairs safer as well as more comfortable to use.
* Budget ahead if you can. Good stair work can be costly, but it pays off for years to come. When you don't ignore budgeting until the end of the project, you will have more choices in designs, styles and wood species that will reflect your home and yourselves.
* Whether you are planning a new stair or you have a remodel project, as you make your decisions keep in mind ~ a staircase is a welcoming center point in the home, and should bring lasting beauty and safety to all who use it.
Tom Rowley, Owner
Willow Springs, MO
417-469-1241